FORGIVENESS: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Have you opened up the great gift of forgiveness? My friend, there is no one we need more than we need God; but to have a close relationship with Him—we MUST give the gift of forgiveness. The forgiveness we experience when we are born again sets us on our journey in a relationship with God. He gives our soul and spirit—life—and the ability to communicate with Him. Moreover, the forgiveness we receive during our walk with God—draws us deeper into the relationship.

The depth of God’s forgiveness towards us is remarkably humbling and—it should EXCITE us to freely GIVE the gift of forgiveness to each other.

Forgiveness is exciting because—it draws us into the awe-inspiring presence and power of God.

The gift of forgiveness is two-dimensionsional: We must be forgiven by God and we must forgive others. Both being forgiven by God and forgiving others draws us into His presence. The story of the wicked servant in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬-‭35‬‬‬ is such a compelling reminder of this! I’m sure you can think of many examples, but imagine for a moment if your son greeted you each day with a crushing punch in the face and then contritely said, “I’m so sorry, please forgive me.” Even as you forgave him—you knew he would punch you right in the face again tomorrow, the next day, and the next. Don’t you think your forgiveness would wear thin—despite the fact you love him dearly? Sure, that miscreant boy will always be your child—but the relationship would become strained if his behavior didn’t change, right?

When we hold onto our sin—we are worse than that boy—punching God in the face with the sin that crucified His Son.

My friend, God knows that we, as His children, will require oceans of forgiveness from Him over our lifetime. The knowledge of God’s vast forgiveness towards us should place within us the critical realization of how much we NEED to forgive each other. Jesus said:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15 NKJV

By both giving forgiveness to each other and receiving it from God—we keep the walls down—and our relationship with God is perpetually fresh and new. 

To forgive others is to share the gift of forgiveness that God gives to us all!

Our merciful and generous Father knows our frailty and our desperate need for Him. When Christ made the decision to be born as a helpless baby and die a terrible death, to pay for our sin He did so to offer us a measure of forgiveness we can never comprehend. Attempting to understand the vastness of God’s forgiveness towards us places our life into perspective. We live thankful and humble lives—quick to forgive. Even for the really hard things to forgive—God’s example towards us helps us to persist in forgiving each other. 

Keep in mind, there are some offenses where forgiveness is literally a daily journey.

But God’s forgiveness is so profound that when we wrap our mind around it, it touches our pitiful human heart and transforms it. God’s immense goodness changes us and His forgiveness infiltrates our hearts to produce gifts that we would never have without it. In fact, did you know that forgiveness can heal your body?  

The glorious gift of forgiveness is waiting for you. 

It’s not under your Christmas tree. 

It’s in your heart. 

Open it. 

When you do, you will unwrap an abundance of God’s greatest blessings—the ones money can’t buy—peace, love, and joy.

Forgiveness is a gift that keeps on giving.

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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